2009-04-21 TPC MinutesTRANSPORTATION AND PARKING COMMISSION
City of Northampton
City Hall, 210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060 -3199
(413) 587 -1249 Fax: (413) 587 -1275
MINUTES
April 21, 2009
Councilor Maureen Carney opened the meeting at 4:05 pm. in City Council Chambers,
Puchalski Municipal Building, 212 Main Street, Northampton.
Members present Maureen Carney, Ned Huntley, William Letendre, Leslie Stein,
James Lowenthal, Paul Sustick, Kenneth Jodrie
Also present: Laura Hanson, Asst.Civil Engineer, Northampton DPW
Members absent David Narkewicz, Russell Sienkiewicz, Wayne Feiden, Gary Hartwell
1. Public Comment — None
2. Welcome New Members -
• Kenneth Jodrie, Planning Board — not present
• Gary Hartwell, Board of Works — not present
3. Minutes of March 17, 2009 —
Leslie Stein asked the Clerk to clarify with Chief Sienkiewicz — on page 2, second
paragraph, "there were three accidents ". Leslie said this appears to refer to Scanlon Ave,
but she believes it was at Ryan Road /Florence Road.
Ned Huntley moved approval of the minutes of March 17, 2009, as amended;
William Letendre seconded. The vote passed unanimously (6 -0).
4. Ordinance Review (referred from City Council 4 /16/09)
■ 312 -102 Parking Prohibited At All Times
William Letendre explained the Ordinance. Ned Huntley stated this should read
"Easterly Side" to "a point 75'Northerly" of Round Hill Road. Letendre will change the
language and email to the Clerk.
Letendre moved to approve the Ordinance, with recommended changes; Huntley
seconded. The vote passed on a vote of 5 Yes; I Abstention (Paul Sustick).
5. Kenneth Jodrie arrived at 4:15 pm. Councilor Carney welcomed him to the
Committee. Mr. Jodrie stated that his appointment is temporary, and it is hoped
that the Mayor will appoint someone with traffic engineering background to the
Planning Board. At that time, Mr. Jodrie would give up his seat on this
Committee.
6. Councilor Reckman request for no parking zone on Sherman Avenue (Bill)
A photograph was received by this Committee (attached). Letendre explained the
situation would affect one resident. This is at Bridge and Sherman Streets. The street is
narrow in winter and difficult to move camper in and out. No Ordinance has been
written regarding this. No other information has been provided and no other residents
have voiced concerns at this time; Councilor Reckman was not present to discuss this
with the Committee. This is not a formal request, so no action must be taken at this time.
.Fames Lowenthal moved to table the discussion; Leslie Stein seconded. The vote
passed unanimously (7 -0).
7. DPW Transportation Engineering Updates — Laura Hanson and Ned Huntley gave
the following reports:
■ Jackson Street School SRTS project
TEC (Transportation Engineering Consultants) has plans to review. This will go to City
Council on May 7, 2009. There is also a public hearing on May 20, 2009 with Mass
Highway. (See handout attached) There must be a vote from the School Committee
regarding this, and that vote was approved at the School Committee on April 16, 2009.
Leslie Stein asked about the bus stop issue. Laura has brought this to the attention of the
TEC. Leslie stated concerns about the bus stop and low fence on the west side. The bus
stop would be across the entranceway. Laura will contact PVTA, and Leslie will also
call PVTA.
James Lowenthal asked further if the City could ask EOT for Jackson Street
improvements or temporary roundabouts. His proposal is to include these in application.
Laura responded that funding is tight, but this can be looked at again.
i Elm Street Crosswalk Safety Study by Smith College
A meeting on April 10, 2009 was held to discuss different proposals, and a final report
will be available in a few weeks. Some changes are being proposed. Gary Hartwell
could give a presentation to the TPC regarding Smith College and what they voted on for
changes /recommendations.
■ PVPC letter from Mayor requesting two free traffic counts for corridor
from Florence Center to Northampton Center — they will let us know the
date (see attached letter)
■ DPW Projects (Hatfield St sidewalks /crack sealing contract /Grove &
Laurel Sts/Roundabout takings 5/7/09/ Traffic Counters are out)
Ned Huntley spoke about the Hatfield Street project. There are 6 -8 residents who were at
the public hearing last week who were very angry, but all 34 residents were sent letter of
notification. The main objection was in regard to snow removal. The project is moving
forward. Capital improvements monies will include new crosswalk across Rte. 9. Bid
opening are scheduled for May 11, 2009.
The crack sealing contract will be in September 2009. Grove and Laurel Street project
begins this week. This will include new water and sewer pipes and drainage, and is
funded through Mass. Development grant monies.
The Jackson Street and Rte. 9 roundabout land takings will go to City Council on May 7,
2009. The Manhan Rail Trail is moving forward. Mass Highway cut many trees in Look
Park to accommodate the bike path.
The traffic counters are out at Grove, Laurel, Riverside and Clement Streets.
■ Pedestrian Study by LMass/ Professor Knodler
There may be recommendations of new lights. There is a fair amount of "non- yielding
behavior ".
8. Committee Reports -
James Lowenthal reports that the Bike/Ped Committee met last week and a new map is
being made by the FNTG (Friends of Northampton Trails Group)- this should be
available on May 13, 2009. There will be significant fundraising for the Manhan Rail
Trail as the $4.6million is for construction only, not other costs. Massachusetts ranks 50
in State Bike Trails.
Ned Huntley reports that the Public Transportation subcommittee met in March with
Committee on Disabilities regarding snow removal and bus stops, curb cuts and bike path
information. Laura Hanson was contacted by Michael Bolls regarding the Massachusetts
prison program that would include shoveling snow as community service.
The PVTA regional hearing on fixed routes will be June 12, 2009 in Hadley.
9. Department Reports —
Ned Huntley stated that the DPW conducted Operation Clean Sweep on Saturday, April
18, 2009. He has an engineer retiring in Fall 2009 and he will not replace this position at
this time. Due to budget cuts, recreation must be cut. As of July 1, 3 full time and 14
seasonal will not have positions in DPW. Only core services will be done regarding the
City parks for tree maintenance, mowing, cleanup. The downtown area is completed
with cleanup of grass, debris, and sand.
10. New Business —
James Lowenthal reminded the Committee that the 10 Annual Bike Breakfast will be
held on May 13 from 7 -10 a.m.
At 5:18 p.m. William Letendre made a motion to adjourn. Jan es'Lowenthal
seconded. The vote passed unanimously (7 -0).
Next meeting is May 19, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.
AT
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MASSACHUSETTS
In the Year two Thousand and ................. NI . N . E ....................................................................
.............
UPON THE RECOMMtItb&ION OF ............... Cau�46k. sotdo. ...................................................................
ORDINANCE
An - Ordinance of the City of Northampton, Massachusetts, providing 31 I that th 10 e 2 Code of Ordinances,
2-
City of Northampton, Massachusetts, be amended by revising section ............................. of said Code;
providing that .......................................... R ft6d ai all times
... g0d.q,2,.Pro.hIb ................................................................ I ....................................................
................... .................... I ............ .. ................................................... I ................................................................ 77"17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 ............
Be it ordained by 66 City Council of the City of Northampton, iffdi Council assembled, as follows:
.
Section 1. That "section ..... .............. of the Cod6 of 'Oidinances bf th& City of Noiiha*ton,
Massachusetts, 'be amended so ifik such section shalt read as follows:_
94S 1 312-102, $qbedule XII; PArkffig Prohibited at all times
e -Qtipn ..............................
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65 GLENN STREET I LAWRENCE, MA O1 843
TiEE: TEL 978.794.1 792 I FAX 97B.794.1 793
WWW.TECMASS.COM
TO: Ms. Susan Wright DATE: April 15, 2009
Business Manager
Office of Superintendent
Northampton Public Schools
FROM: Kevin R. Dandrade, PE, PTOE PROJECT NO.: T0233
Principal/ Senior Engineer
RE: Requested School Committee Action - Jackson Street School Property Easements
Northampton, Massachusetts
On behalf of the Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works (EOT) and the
Massachusetts Highway Department (MassHighway), TEC, Inc. is currently preparing final design
plans for sidewalk and traffic calming improvements along Jackson Street as part of the Safe
Routes to School Infrastructure Program. The Jackson Street Improvements are expected to be
constructed using 100% Federal funds allocated as part of the American Recovery &
Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which was recently signed into law.
The current design plans depict the following improvements that are being reviewed by the City's
Department of Public Works, Planning Department, and MassHighway:
• A 10 foot wide sidewalk on the east side of Jackson Street, between Barrett Street
and the Northampton Bikeway, with new granite curbing
• A new ADA- compliant ramp connection between the sidewalk on Jackson Street
and the Northampton Bikeway
• A sidewalk along the east side of Jackson Street, between the Northampton
Bikeway and Prospect Street, with new granite curbing
• Roadway striping along Jackson Street to define the travel lanes, shoulder, and
any crosswalk locations
• New accessible ramps at the intersection of Jackson Street/ Prospect Street to
the latest ADA guidelines and provide pedestrian warning signs and pavement
markings for crosswalks across Prospect Street
• Improvements to the line radii at the Jackson Street School entrance
• Two raised crosswalks (speed tables), one just south of the school driveway and a
second immediately south of Street, including minor drainage
modifications
• A low fence on the west side of Jackson Street along the school's frontage, north
of the school driveway, to deter unsafe pedestrian movements between the
Hampshire Heights neighborhood and the school's parking lot.
PLAN I PERMIT I DESIGN I CONSTRUCT
Ms. Susan Wright
April 15, 2009
Page 2of2
The existing north -south sidewalk in front of the school (on the west side of Jackson
Street) is located on property that is formally part of the school grounds as part of Parcels
24A -042 and 18C -112. TEC recommends that the School Committee determine that the
area from one foot behind the existing sidewalk to the street curb is "surplus" property
that can be dedicated as part of the public way or simply accommodate a permanent
easement that will be used for sidewalks as part of the public space of Jackson Street.
Additionally, work will need to be performed on school grounds to facilitate the
realignment of the curb lines along school's drivewayto create standard intersection
geometry. Ideally, the City should accept a temporary construction easement that will
encompass the areas that will be modified as part of the proposed construction activities.
We ask thatthe School Committee considerthe following actions (motions) as part of
your April 16, 2009 meeting agenda:
1. Declare the sidewalk area on Jackson Street School property, adjacent to
Jackson Street ( ±10' behind the existing right -of -way line), be surplustotheir
needs; and
2. Recommend that City Council grant easements (or fee ownership) to the City as
part of the Jackson Street Public Way for the permanent easement areas depicted
in the attached exhibit prepared by TEC, Inc. dated April 15, 2009 and entitled,
".Draft Easement Areas — Jackson Street School ".
3. Recommend that City Council grant a temporary construction - easementto - the City
for proposed work in the school .property for limited driveway reconstruction, fence
installation, and other incidental work as depicted in the attached exhibit prepared
byTEC, Inc. dated April 15, 2009 and entitled, "Draft Easement Areas -Jackson .
Street School ".
We have provided 25 %/75% design plans to the City's Department of Public Works for
review. We have scheduled the required _Design Public Hearingthrough MassHighwayfor
7:00 PM on Wednesday, May.20, 2009 at the - Jackson Street School Cafetorium.
.Engineers will be available starting at 6 :30 PM that eveningto answer questions
regarding the proposed improvements.
In the meantime, please call me orJennifer Williams with any questions at (97.8) 794-
179.2. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Attachment: Jackson Street School - Draft Easement Plan (1 -11 "x17" sheet)
cc: Martin Leelman, MassHighway Project Manager
Richard Masse, PE, MassHighway.Districf 2
James Cope, AICP, EOT
Wayne Feiden, FAICP,'Northampton Planning Department
Laura Hanson, Northampton Department of Public Works
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
Mayor Mary Clare Higgins
City Hall, 210 Main Street Room 12
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 587 -1249
FAX: (413) 587 -1275
mayor(a,city.northampton.ma.us March 20, 2009
Mr. Amir Kouzehkanani
Principle Transportation Planner
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
26 Central Street — Suite 34
West Springfield, MA 01089 -2787
Re: Two Free Traffic Counts from PVPC on Locust Street
The City of Northampton Department of Public Works (DPW) is interested in having the Pioneer Valley
Planning Commission (PVPC) perform two free traffic counts on Locust Street. It is understood that
technical services provided by the PVPC would be performed at no charge for the City of Northampton
through the Local Technical Assistance (LTA) Program. This evaluation would include two technicians
electronically recording traffic volume, speed and vehicle classification for a one week period.
Special Speed Regulation No. 312 was issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public
Works, Boston Office on January 14, 1966 for sections of North Main Street (Florence), Main Street (Florence),
Locust Street, North Elm Street, Elm Street and Route 9. It is time to reanalyze the posted speed limits between
Florence center and Northampton center due to the expansion and changing land usage over the past 43 years
within this corridor.
Upon the recommendation of Mass Highway, the best approach is to analyze the whole corridor simultaneously by
placing six traffic counters within three areas of concern before submitting the package their District 2 office.
The City of Northampton can use the two free annual traffic counts provided by the Pioneer Valley Planning
Commission (PVPC) for the Locust Street area. The Engineering Department will coordinate with PVPC to place
our two traffic counters on North Elm Street at the same time. Smith College has agreed to pay for two traffic
counters on Elm Street.
Please contact the Engineering Department to let them know when you will have time to perform this
study. We appreciate your assistance in the evaluation of these areas.
If you have any questions about this study, please contact Laura Hanson in the Engineering Department at
(413) 587 -1570, ex. 112.
SiAere `
M Hi gins
Mayor of No ampton
cc: Northampton Engineering Department